Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 23rd, 2023

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Scott, you said that—

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

The witness was asked a question and was not afforded the opportunity to respond.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I did make that point. I think the witness should be able to respond. The chair decides who responds and who speaks.

Go ahead.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I have a point of order.

If you seek clarity from the clerk, I believe you will find that the members of this committee have the ability to make a statement, should they wish to, or ask a question. If my colleague chose to make a statement, that is his prerogative.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

It sounded like a question to me.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It sounded like a question, but there you go. If it's a statement—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Is it a statement, Mr. Shields?

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

All right. We move ahead.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thank you.

[An hon. member]

No, no, no.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Moving on, I have the floor.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

No, he made a statement. He has the floor. We continue.

Someone else can take the opportunity to clarify that.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

On a point of order, Madam Chair, it wasn't a statement. It was an accusation.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Well, you made one over Fox.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

The witnesses should be allowed to respond if they choose to.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

You make accusations every day.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry, Kevin. We're on the point of order, please.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

If they choose not to respond, that's their prerogative, but they should be given the opportunity to respond.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Moving on, Mr. Shortliffe, you made the statement “if needed”. Now, there's a phrase out there that says, “I'm from the government and I'm here to help you”. That's an oxymoron in my riding and very scary. If you ask “if needed”....

You stated that you're collecting that information “if needed”. Is that right?

[Scott Shortliffe]

Yes. I did say that.